Bayonet for lh2 offloading

ABSTRACT

A bayonet coupling system includes a bayonet, a bayonet coupler, and a seal. The bayonet includes a bayonet tube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to the bayonet tube. The seal is configured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of the flange. The bayonet coupler includes a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive the bayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal. The bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalNo. 63/223,891, filed Jul. 20, 2021, which is expressly incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates to the control of the flow of liquid hydrogenfuel to fill one or more liquid hydrogen storage tanks.

Description of the Related Art

Gaseous hydrogen has become a desirable fuel source due to its abundanceand cleanliness. Vehicle fueling stations that supply gaseous hydrogentypically store large amounts of hydrogen in liquid form. Large tankertrucks transport liquid hydrogen to fueling stations to refill thestations' liquid hydrogen storage tanks. Accidental spillage or leakage,and inefficient cooling of the lines used to refill such storage tankscan lead to safety and cost issues.

Systems and methods to safely and efficiently refill liquid hydrogenfuel storage tanks would address such problems.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a systemconfigured to automatically purge and precool a hydrogen fuel line priorto transfer of hydrogen fuel from a source to a storage tank, including:a hydrogen fuel line configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tankerstorage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storagetanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured tostore liquid hydrogen; an input valve configured to control the flow ofhydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; a station ventcoupled to the hydrogen fuel line; a station vent control valveconfigured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to the station vent; amemory storing computer-executable instructions; and a controller incommunication with the memory and configured to execute the instructionsto configure the controller to: purge moisture from the hydrogen fuelline; pre-cool the hydrogen fuel line; cause hydrogen fuel to flowthrough the hydrogen fuel line to re-fill the station storage tank; andexpel residual hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen fuel line when thestation storage tank re-filling is complete.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the instructions that configure the controller to purge moisturefrom the hydrogen fuel line include additional instructions that furtherconfigure the controller to: send a control signal to a hydrogen tankerto cause a hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to close andprevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into the hydrogen fuel line; closethe input valve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing to and from thefueling station storage tank; open a warm hydrogen source valve to allowwarm hydrogen fuel to flow from a warm hydrogen source to the hydrogenfuel line; open the station vent control valve to allow the warmhydrogen fuel to flow out of the station vent; and close the stationvent control valve in response to a purge condition.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the purge condition includes one or more of: determining that apredetermined period has passed, determining that a temperature withinthe hydrogen fuel line has reached a threshold temperature, ordetermining a condensation level associated with the hydrogen fuel linehas reached a threshold condensation level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the instructions that configure the controller to pre-cool thehydrogen fuel line include additional instructions that furtherconfigure the controller to: send a control signal to a hydrogen tankerto cause a hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open and allowhydrogen fuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line; close the input valveto prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into and out of the fuelingstation storage tank; open the station vent control valve to allow coldhydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogen fuel line to the station vent;receive a temperature measurement from temperature sensor; and close thestation vent control valve when the temperature measurement reaches apredetermined level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the station vent andindicates the temperature of hydrogen in the station vent.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the hydrogen fuel line andindicates the temperature of hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the instructions that configure the controller to cause hydrogenfuel to flow through the hydrogen fuel line to re-fill the stationstorage tank include additional instructions that further configure thecontroller to: send a control signal to a hydrogen tanker to cause ahydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open and allow hydrogenfuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line; open the input valve to allowhydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogen fuel line into the stationstorage tank; determine a fill level of the station storage tank; andclose the input valve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into thestation storage tank when the fill level reaches a desired level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the desired level is the station storage tank reaching a fulllevel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,further including a differential pressure sensor having a first inputand a second input, wherein the first input is coupled to a lower regionof the station storage tank and the second input is coupled to an upperregion of the station storage tank, and wherein the differentialpressure sensor is configured to determine the difference in pressuresat the first and second inputs.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the controller is configured to determine the fill level of thestation storage tank based upon the difference in pressures.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a systemconfigured to automatically purge a hydrogen fuel line, including: ahydrogen fuel line configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tankerstorage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storagetanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured tostore liquid hydrogen; an input valve configured to control the flow ofhydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; a station ventcoupled to the hydrogen fuel line; a station vent control valveconfigured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to the station vent; amemory storing computer-executable instructions; and a controller incommunication with the memory and configured to execute the instructionsto configure the controller to: send a control signal to a hydrogentanker to cause a hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to closeand prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into the hydrogen fuel line;close the input valve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing to and fromthe fueling station storage tank; open a warm hydrogen source valve toallow warm hydrogen fuel to flow from a warm hydrogen source to thehydrogen fuel line; open the station vent control valve to allow thewarm hydrogen fuel to flow out of the station vent; and close thestation vent control valve in response to a purge condition.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the purge condition includes one or more of: determining that apredetermined period has passed, determining that a temperature withinthe hydrogen fuel line has reached a threshold temperature, ordetermining a condensation level associated with the hydrogen fuel linehas reached a threshold condensation level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a systemconfigured to automatically pre-cool a hydrogen fuel line, including: ahydrogen fuel line configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tankerstorage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storagetanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured tostore liquid hydrogen; an input valve configured to control the flow ofhydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; a station ventcoupled to the hydrogen fuel line; a station vent control valveconfigured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to the station vent; amemory storing computer-executable instructions; and a controller incommunication with the memory and configured to execute the instructionsto configure the controller to: send a control signal to a hydrogentanker to cause a hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open andallow hydrogen fuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line; close the inputvalve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into and out of the fuelingstation storage tank; open the station vent control valve to allow coldhydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogen fuel line to the station vent;receive a temperature measurement from temperature sensor; and close thestation vent control valve when the temperature measurement reaches apredetermined level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the station vent andindicates the temperature of hydrogen in the station vent.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system,wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the hydrogen fuel line andindicates the temperature of hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method of automatically purging and precooling ahydrogen fuel line prior to transferring hydrogen fuel from a source toa storage tank, including: purging moisture from a hydrogen fuel line,wherein the hydrogen fuel line is configured to fluidically couple ahydrogen tanker storage tank and a fueling station storage tank, thehydrogen storage tanker storage tank and the fueling station storagetank configured to store liquid hydrogen; pre-cooling the hydrogen fuelline; causing hydrogen fuel to flow through the hydrogen fuel line tore-fill the fueling station storage tank; and expelling residualhydrogen fuel from the hydrogen fuel line when the fueling stationstorage tank re-filling is complete.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein purging moisture from the hydrogenfuel line includes: sending a control signal to a hydrogen tanker tocause a hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to close and preventhydrogen fuel from flowing into the hydrogen fuel line; closing an inputvalve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing to and from the fuelingstation storage tank, wherein the input valve is configured to controlthe flow of hydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; opening awarm hydrogen source valve to allow warm hydrogen fuel to flow from awarm hydrogen source to the hydrogen fuel line; opening a station ventcontrol valve to allow the warm hydrogen fuel to flow out of a stationvent, wherein the station vent is coupled to the hydrogen fuel line, andwherein the station vent control valve is configured to control the flowof hydrogen fuel to the station vent; and closing the station ventcontrol valve in response to a purge condition.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the purge condition includes one ormore of: determining that a predetermined period has passed, determiningthat a temperature within the hydrogen fuel line has reached a thresholdtemperature, or determining a condensation level associated with thehydrogen fuel line has reached a threshold condensation level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein pre-cooling the hydrogen fuel lineincludes: sending a control signal to a hydrogen tanker to cause ahydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open and allow hydrogenfuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line; closing an input valve toprevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into and out of the fueling stationstorage tank, wherein the input valve is configured to control the flowof hydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; opening a stationvent control valve to allow cold hydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogenfuel line to a station vent, wherein the station vent is coupled to thehydrogen fuel line, and wherein the station vent control valve isconfigured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to the station vent;receiving a temperature measurement from temperature sensor; and closingthe station vent control valve when the temperature measurement reachesa predetermined level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled tothe station vent and indicates the temperature of hydrogen in thestation vent.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled tothe hydrogen fuel line and indicates the temperature of hydrogen in thehydrogen fuel line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein causing hydrogen fuel to flowthrough the hydrogen fuel line to re-fill the fueling station storagetank includes: sending a control signal to a hydrogen tanker to cause ahydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open and allow hydrogenfuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line; opening an input valve toallow hydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogen fuel line into the stationstorage tank, wherein the input valve is configured to control the flowof hydrogen fuel to the fueling station storage tank; determining a filllevel of the fueling station storage tank; and closing the input valveto prevent hydrogen fuel from flowing into the station storage tank whenthe fill level reaches a desired level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the desired level is the stationstorage tank reaching a full level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, further including receiving a differentialpressure signal from a differential pressure sensor having a first inputand a second input, wherein the first input is coupled to a lower regionof the station storage tank and the second input is coupled to an upperregion of the station storage tank, and wherein the differentialpressure sensor is configured to determine the difference in pressuresat the first and second inputs.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein determining the fill level of thestation storage tank is determined based upon the differential pressuresignal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method of automatically purging a hydrogen fuelline, including: sending a control signal to a hydrogen tanker to causea hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to close and preventhydrogen fuel from flowing into the hydrogen fuel line, wherein thehydrogen fuel line is configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tankerstorage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storagetanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured tostore liquid hydrogen; closing an input valve to prevent hydrogen fuelfrom flowing to and from the fueling station storage tank, wherein theinput valve is configured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to thefueling station storage tank; opening a warm hydrogen source valve toallow warm hydrogen fuel to flow from a warm hydrogen source to thehydrogen fuel line; opening a station vent control valve to allow thewarm hydrogen fuel to flow out of a station vent, wherein the stationvent is coupled to the hydrogen fuel line, and wherein the station ventcontrol valve is configured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to thestation vent; and closing the station vent control valve in response toa purge condition.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the purge condition includes one ormore of: determining that a predetermined period has passed, determiningthat a temperature within the hydrogen fuel line has reached a thresholdtemperature, or determining a condensation level associated with thehydrogen fuel line has reached a threshold condensation level.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method of automatically pre-cooling a hydrogen fuelline, including: sending a control signal to a hydrogen tanker to causea hydrogen tanker storage tank control valve to open and allow hydrogenfuel to flow into the hydrogen fuel line, wherein the hydrogen fuel lineis configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tanker storage tank and afueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storage tanker storage tankand the fueling station storage tank configured to store liquidhydrogen; closing an input valve to prevent hydrogen fuel from flowinginto and out of the fueling station storage tank, wherein the inputvalve is configured to control the flow of hydrogen fuel to the fuelingstation storage tank; opening a station vent control valve to allow coldhydrogen fuel to flow from the hydrogen fuel line to a station vent,wherein the station vent is coupled to the hydrogen fuel line, andwherein the station vent control valve is configured to control the flowof hydrogen fuel to the station vent; receiving a temperaturemeasurement from temperature sensor; and closing the station ventcontrol valve when the temperature measurement reaches a predeterminedlevel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled tothe station vent and indicates the temperature of hydrogen in thestation vent.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to acomputer-controlled method, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled tothe hydrogen fuel line and indicates the temperature of hydrogen in thehydrogen fuel line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, including: a bayonet, the bayonet including a bayonettube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and aflange coupled to the bayonet tube; a seal, the seal configured tosurround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of theflange; a bayonet coupler, the bayonet coupler including a bayonetcoupler tube having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameterof the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive thebayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal, wherein thebayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogenstorage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler isinclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent asubstantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the angle is selected from the group consistingof: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned withthe flange.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the seal includes an O-ring.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the seal includes a gasket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet coupler includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method ofcoupling a hydrogen fuel source to a hydrogen offload station,including: providing a bayonet, the bayonet including a bayonet tubeconfigured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and aflange coupled to the bayonet tube; providing a seal, the sealconfigured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along oneside of the flange; providing a bayonet coupler, the bayonet couplerincluding a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter larger thanan outside diameter of the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tubeconfigured to receive the bayonet tube and to seal against the flange atthe seal, wherein the bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly orindirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis ofthe bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect tohorizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at theseal; inserting the bayonet into the bayonet coupler to fluidicallycouple the bayonet to the bayonet coupler.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the angle is selected from the group consisting of: 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned with the flange.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the seal includes an O-ring.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the seal includes a gasket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the bayonet includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the bayonet coupler includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, including: a bayonet coupler, the bayonet couplerincluding a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter, wherein thebayonet coupler is configured to fluidically seal to a bayonet at aseal, wherein the bayonet includes a bayonet tube configured to enablethe flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to thebayonet tube, and wherein the seal is configured to surround the bayonettube and contact the flange along one side of the flange; wherein thebayonet coupler tube is larger than an outside diameter of the bayonettube, wherein the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive a bayonettube and to seal against the flange at the seal, wherein the bayonetcoupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storagetank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined apredetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantialthermal gradient from forming at the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the angle is selected from the group consistingof: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned withthe flange.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the seal includes an O-ring.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the seal includes a gasket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bayonetcoupling system, wherein the bayonet coupler includes the seal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit configured to couple a controller of a liquid hydrogen offloadsystem to a liquid hydrogen tanker, including: a control line,configured to transmit a control signal from the controller to theliquid hydrogen tanker; a gas detector, configured to detect hydrogengas and provide a gas detector signal to the controller; and wherein thegas detector is secured to the control line at a predetermined distancefrom a tanker connection end of the control line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit, wherein further including a connector configured to secure thegas detector to the control line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit, wherein the connector is selected from the group including oneor more of: a fastener, a shroud, a housing, and a tubing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit, wherein the predetermined distance is selected from the groupconsisting of: less than 5, less than 10, less than 15, less than 20,less than 25, less than 50, less than 100, less than 150, and less than200 cm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit, wherein the control signal includes an electrical signal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a controlconduit, wherein the control signal includes a pneumatic or air pressuresignal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method ofcoupling a controller of a liquid hydrogen offload system to a liquidhydrogen tanker, including: providing a control conduit including acontrol line, a gas detector, and a coupler at one end of the controlconduit, wherein the control line is configured to transmit a controlsignal from the controller to the liquid hydrogen tanker, and whereinthe gas detector is configured to detect hydrogen gas and provide a gasdetector signal to the controller, wherein the gas detector is securedto the control line at a predetermined distance from the coupler; andcoupling the control conduit to a liquid hydrogen tanker.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the control conduit further includes a connector configured tosecure the gas detector to the control line.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the connector is selected from the group including one or moreof: a fastener, a shroud, a housing, and a tubing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the predetermined distance is selected from the group consistingof: less than 5, less than 10, less than 15, less than 20, less than 25,less than 50, less than 100, less than 150, and less than 200 cm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the control signal includes an electrical signal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method,wherein the control signal includes a pneumatic or air pressure signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of one embodiment of a hydrogen fuelingstation;

FIG. 2 provides a further detailed view of certain components of thehydrogen fueling station of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the hose and station tankbayonet of FIG. 2 ; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method offilling a liquid hydrogen storage tank with auto-purge and pre-coolingof the filling lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hydrogen Fueling Station

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a hydrogen fueling station 100. Thehydrogen fueling station 100 includes multiple storage banks 102 ofhydrogen gas. Each bank 102 may include one or more tanks that arecoupled together to store a larger volume of gas than an individualtank. Each storage bank 102 is coupled to a flow panel 104, which issometimes referred to as a priority panel, or a flow controller. Theflow panel 104 is coupled to one or more dispensers 106 (Dispenser 1,Dispenser 2), which may be coupled to one or more vehicles 108 to fuelthe vehicles 108.

In one embodiment, the fueling station 100 includes eight storage banks102 (Bank 1 102 a through Bank 8 102 h). Each storage bank 102 may befilled to a predetermined, desired pressure level. In addition, eachdispenser 106 (Dispenser 1, Dispenser 2) includes two hoses 110 (Hose 1,Hose 2). Each hose 110 may be connected to a vehicle 108 to fuel thevehicle 108.

The fueling station 100 also includes a liquid hydrogen offload system120, a liquid fuel storage tank 125, liquid fuel pump 130, external coldstorage 135, and manifold 140. A liquid hydrogen tanker 145 bringsliquid hydrogen to replenish the liquid hydrogen in the liquid storagetank 125. The tanker 145 couples to the liquid storage tank 125 via aliquid hydrogen offload system 120, shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 .The liquid hydrogen offload system 120 provides a safe and efficientmechanism for transferring liquid hydrogen from the liquid hydrogentanker 145 to the liquid storage tank 125.

The liquid storage tank 125 is configured to store liquid hydrogen fuel.The liquid pump 130 may include a compressor or other pump that drawsliquid fuel from the liquid fuel storage tank 125, converts it to a gas,and pumps the gas into a manifold 140 that is fluidly connected to thestorage banks 102. In some embodiments, multiple liquid fuel storagetanks 125 and/or multiple liquid fuel pumps 130 are provided. The pump130 may pump the fuel into a manifold 140, as shown, directly into oneor more storage banks 102 a-h, or both. The liquid pump 130 may alsoprovide gaseous hydrogen to an external cold storage system 135. Theexternal cold storage system 135 is configured to store a cold medium(e.g., brine, etc.) and use the cold medium to provide cold hydrogen gasto the flow panel's cooling system 150. The flow panel's cooling system150 is configured to control the temperature of the gaseous hydrogenfuel provided to the dispensers 106 from the storage banks 102.

The flow panel 104 may include one input port 155 for each storage bank102, and one output port 160 for each dispenser hose 106. Theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the flow panel 104 includes 8 inputports 155 and four output ports 160, although any number of input andoutput ports 155, 160 may be provided. The output of each storage bank102 a-h is coupled to an input port 155 of the flow panel 104. Multiplefluid channels 165, or flow paths, (e.g., gas conduits, tubes, pipes,etc.) extend from the input ports 155 of the flow panel 104 to theoutput ports 160 of the flow panel 104. For example, each input port 155may be connected to each output port 160. Therefore, in the illustratedembodiment, for each of the eight input ports 155, four flow channels165 are provided in order to connect each input port 155 to each outputport 160, resulting in a total of 32 flow channels 165. The flow panel104 may include a different number of input and output ports 155, 160,but will generally equal the number of storage banks 102 and dispenserhoses 110, respectively.

Each flow channel 165 may be connected to flow control hardware, or aflow controller (e.g., solenoid, etc.) (not shown) located at each endof each flow channel 165 to selectively enable fluid flow between adesired input port 155 to a desired output port 160. For example, theflow controllers may be positioned between each storage bank 102 andeach input 155 and also between each fluid channel 165 output and eachoutput port 160. However, in other embodiments, flow controllers may belocated in other locations. For example, flow controllers may bepositioned between the input ports 155 and the fluid channel inputsand/or between the output ports 160 and the dispenser hoses 110.

In one embodiment, the flow panel 104 (sometimes referred to as apriority panel or flow controller) includes logic to select a desiredstorage bank 102 and to route fluid from the desired storage bank 102 toa selected dispenser hose 110. The flow panel 104 can include acontroller or microprocessor (not shown) that determines one or moredesired storage banks 102 for a selected dispenser hose 110, activatesdesired flow controllers to route fuel from the desired one or morestorage banks 102 to the selected dispenser hose 110. In one embodiment,the flow panel 104 may also be used to control the filling of the liquidstorage tank 125, which stores liquid hydrogen, as discussed further,below.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a system configured to control thefilling of a filling station's liquid storage tank 125, which issometimes referred to as the station tank or liquid storage tank. In theillustrated embodiment, a tanker 145 (LH2 Tanker), such as a liquidhydrogen tanker truck, is located at a filling station 100, and ispreparing to fill the filling station's liquid storage tank 125 (H2Station Tank). The tanker 145 includes a liquid hydrogen storage tank202, a manual flow control valve 204, and an automatic flow controlvalve 206. The manual flow control valve 204 may be opened and closedmanually to control the flow of liquid hydrogen fuel from the tanker'sstorage tank 202 to the tanker's automatic flow control valve 206. Theautomatic flow control valve 206 is controlled by a signal received bythe automatic flow control valve via a tanker signal line 208. Thetanker signal line 208 can receive a pneumatic or electrical controlsignal at a tanker control line connector 210 and communicate thecontrol signal to the automatic flow control valve 206 via the tankersignal line 208. When opened, liquid hydrogen fuel is able to flow fromthe manual control valve 204 through the automatic control valve 206 andto a tanker fuel conduit 212.

The tanker fuel conduit 212 includes a hydrogen hose 214 and a hosebayonet 216. The hydrogen hose 214 is coupled to the tanker's storagetank 202 and enables the flow of liquid hydrogen fuel from the storagetank 202 to the filling station to the station tank 125. The tanker fuelconduit's 212 hose bayonet 216 is configured to releasably mate andfluidically seal to a complementary bayonet, such as a station tankbayonet 218 coupled directly or indirectly to the station tank 125. Oneembodiment of the hose bayonet 216 to station tank bayonet 218connection is illustrated in FIG. 4 and described in further detail,below.

A liquid hydrogen offload system 120 includes one or more tankerconnections and various flow control valves to control the flow ofliquid hydrogen from the tanker 145 and into the filling station's tank125. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid hydrogen offload system120 includes the station tank bayonet 218, a control conduit 220, acontroller 225, a warm hydrogen source 230, a warm hydrogen sourcecontrol valve 235, a station tank manual valve 240, a station tankcontrol valve 245, a station vent 250, a station vent control valve 255,and a temperature sensor 260

The control conduit 220 includes one or more air control lines 265, agas detector 265, and a coupling 270. In some configurations, thecontrol conduit 220 includes one or more electrical control lines inaddition to, or instead of, the one or more air control lines 265. Thecontrol conduit 220 couples to the liquid hydrogen tanker via theconnections 210, 275. Once connected, control signals, e.g., from theair control line(s) 265 and/or electrical control lines (not shown), maybe communicated from the liquid hydrogen offload system 120 to theliquid hydrogen tanker 145. For example, the control signals may be usedto control the operation of one or more automatic control valves (e.g.,automatic control valve 206) coupled to the tanker 145. The gas detector270 is positioned sufficiently close to the coupler 275 to be able todetect any gas leaks emanating from the coupler 210 to coupler 275connection. For example, the gas detector 270 may be positioned lessthan 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 150, or 200 cm from the coupler 275.The gas detector 270 may be enclosed within a sheathing of the controlconduit 220, or it may be secured to the air control line 265. Forexample, the gas detector 270 may be secured to the air control line 265with one or more clips, bands, straps, adhesives, hook and loop fabric,etc. When the gas detector 270 detects gas, it sends a signal to thecontroller 250. The controller may respond, for example, by activatingan alarm, a visual indicator (e.g., light, message on a display (notshown), etc.) and close automatic valves to pause or terminate thetransfer of liquid hydrogen from the tanker 150 to the station tank 125.

The controller 225 is configured to control the operation of all of theautomatic valves in the liquid hydrogen offload system 120, and to sendcontrol signals to automatic valves (e.g., the liquid hydrogen tankerautomatic control valve 206). The controller 225 may also receivesignals, e.g., from the temperature sensor 260 and gas detector 270 toenable the controller 225 to determine whether to initiate, continue,pause, or stop liquid hydrogen transfer from the tanker 145 to thestation tank 125.

A warm hydrogen source 230 is used to provide warm hydrogen to thehydrogen hose 214, and to purge moisture present in the hydrogen hose214. The warm hydrogen source includes a tank of warm hydrogen, or aheating element used to heat hydrogen from the station's storage tank125. In some cases, the warm hydrogen source 230 is provided by theliquid hydrogen tanker 145 and may not be included in the liquidhydrogen offload system. The station vent 250 allows gaseous hydrogen tovent out of the hydrogen hose 214 and other fluid channels (e.g.,between the station bayonet 218 and valves 235, 240, 245, 255, warmhydrogen source 230 and/or station tank 125). A temperature sensor 260is coupled to the output of the station vent control valve 255 tomonitor the temperature of hydrogen gas vented or flowed through thestation vent control valve 255 to the station exhaust vent 250.

The valves may be manual, electrically operated, pneumatic, and/orair-pressure controlled (or a combination of such valve types). Othervalve types may be used, as well. In some embodiments, the flow controlvalve includes a solenoid valve (e.g., SV). An air-pressure controlledvalve may be activated or deactivated by either applying or removing(depending upon whether the valve is normally opened or normally closed)air pressure to a control port on the air-pressure controlled valve.

Connecting the Tanker to the Station Tank

To establish a fluid connection between the tanker 145 and the fillingstation tank 125, the site is first secured. An air line (e.g., controlconduit 220) from the filling station 100 liquid hydrogen offload system120 is attached to an air input port and control line connector 210coupled to the tanker 145. The air from the air control line 265pressurizes the air lines connected to the air-pressure controlled valve206. A gas detector 270 is tethered to or integrated with the aircontrol line 265 such that the detector end of the gas detector ispositioned near the tanker connection 210 when the air line 265 from thestation 100 offload system 120 is attached to the tanker's air inputport 210. An electrical conduit extends from the detector end of the gasdetector 270 back to the filling station's controller 225 (e.g., thepriority panel or flow panel or separate controller). The gas detector270 is configured to monitor the tanker 145 for hydrogen fuel leakageduring filling. If hydrogen is detected by the gas detector 270, thefilling's station's offload system's controller 120 immediatelyterminates the flow of liquid hydrogen fuel from the tanker 145 to thestation tank 125, as discussed below.

In addition, the gas detector 270 is tethered, or physically connectedto the air control line 265 such that the gas detector 270 must bepositioned near the tanker 145 during filling. The gas detector 270sensor is attached to the air control line 265 near the end portion ofthe air line 265, as discussed above. The end portion of the air controlline 265 includes an air control line connector 275, which is configuredto be attached to the tanker connection 210 to enable filling. When theair control line connector 275 is attached to the tanker connector 210,the gas detector 270 becomes automatically positioned near the gastanker 145. This eliminates any possibility that the operator may forgetto attach the gas detector 270 to the tanker 145. The tether can includea fastener, shroud, housing, tubing, or other device to affix the gasdetector 270 to the air control line 265 and/or control conduit 220. Insome embodiments, the air control line 265 incorporates the gas detector270 within or attached to the external tubing of the air control line265.

A hydrogen hose 214 is used to connect the liquid hydrogen fuel linefrom the tanker (sometimes referred to as the trailer) 145 at the tankerconnection (e.g., the hose bayonet 216) to the hydrogen line of the tank125 at the tank connection (e.g., the station tank bayonet 218). Thehydrogen hose 212 may connect to the station tank 125, tanker 145 orboth, using a male-female bayonet pair 216, 218 attached to one end ofthe hydrogen hose 214 and to the station tank 125 (e.g., via fuel linesextending from the station tank 125 to manual and automatic valves 240,245). One such bayonet pair 216, 218 is described below with respect toFIG. 3 .

Purging and Pre-Cooling the Hydrogen Line

Because the temperature of the liquid hydrogen may be as low as −423° F.and the hydrogen hose 214, connections 216, 218, and valves 204, 206,240, 245 may be at ambient temperature (e.g., +70° F. or more), it isdesirable to pre-cool the hose 212, connections 216, 218, and valves204, 206, 240, 245 to avoid inducing thermal stresses, which could causefailure or leakage. Initially, with the valves to the tanker 204, 206and valves to the tank 240, 245 closed, warm hydrogen (e.g., aboveambient temperature) is introduced into the lines to purge the lines andto avoid forming water condensation. The warm hydrogen may be suppliedby the warm hydrogen source 230, located at the filling station 100liquid hydrogen offload system 120 or in some cases, the trailer 145.The station vent control valve 255 is opened to allow warm hydrogen toflow from the warm hydrogen source 230 to the station vent 250. In someembodiments, the station vent control valve 255 is closed to allow warmhydrogen fuel to pressurize the hydrogen hose 214. When a sufficientpressure is reached, the station vent control valve 255 is opened. Therelease of the pressurized warm hydrogen in the hydrogen hose 214 helppurge any moisture and impurities that may be located within thehydrogen hose 214 and bayonets 216, 218. The process of pressurizing andreleasing the pressure from the hydrogen hose 214 may be repeated 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 times, or more than 10 times to purge themoisture and any impurities that may be located within the hydrogen hose214 and bayonets 216, 218.

A pressure sensor (not shown) coupled to the hydrogen hose 214 and/orconnections checks for pressure leaks within the flow channel betweentanker 145 and tank 125. A valve or valves 204, 206 at the tankerstorage tank 202 and a valve 255 at the station vent 250 are opened toallow cool hydrogen to flow from the tanker storage tank 202, throughthe hydrogen hose 214, and to vent to atmosphere in order to pre-coolthe flow channel, including the valves 204, 206, hydrogen hose 214, hosebayonet 216, and station tank bayonet 218.

When purging and pre-cooling the flow channel between the tanker storagetank 202 and station tank 125, such as shown in FIG. 2 , an operator, acontroller 225, or the flow panel 104, monitors the temperature of theflow channel (e.g., by monitoring condensation forming on the outside ofthe flow channel, by monitoring the temperature of the temperaturesensor 260 (e.g., at the station vent 250), or any other technique) andopens and closes the control valve 206 at the tanker to control the flowof hydrogen into the flow channel. The temperature sensor reading issent to the controller 225, flow panel 104, or priority panel todetermine when the flow channel is sufficiently pre-cooled. In someembodiments, the controller 225 is incorporated into the circuitry andcontrol hardware and software of the flow panel 104 or priority panel.

When sufficiently pre-cooled, the controller 225, flow panel, orpriority panel sends one or more control signals (e.g., electricalsignals to solenoids and/or air pressure signals to air-pressurecontrolled valves) to open the valves 206, 245 between the tankerstorage tank 202 and the station tank 125, and to close the station ventvalve 255. Liquid hydrogen then flows from the higher-pressure tankerstorage tank 202 into the lower pressure, liquid hydrogen stationstorage tank 125.

Filling the Tank and Monitoring for Leakage

During filling (or offloading from tanker tank 202 to station tank 125)of the station tank 125, one or more pressure sensors coupled to theflow channel between the tanker tank 202 and station tank 125 monitorthe pressure within the flow channel. A pressure drop may indicate aleak, in which case the controller 225, priority panel or flowcontroller sends control signals to the flow control valves 206, 245 inorder to stop flow out of the tanker tank 202 and to stop flow into (andalso to prevent loss of fluid from) the fueling station tank 125.

Once the station tank 125 is full, the system automatically 120 closesthe valves 206, 245 at the tanker tank 202 and the station tank 125. Adifferential pressure sensor (not shown) may be used to determinewhether the station tank 125 is full. For example, one input to thedifferential pressure sensor may be coupled to the top of the stationtank 125, and the other input to the differential pressure sensor may becoupled to the bottom of the station tank 125. The difference inpressures correlates to how full the station tank 125 has been filled.When the pressure difference is about zero, the station tank 125 isempty. The pressure depends on the height of the liquid when the stationtank 125 is full, so different station tank 125 sizes will havedifferent pressures when full. In one embodiment, the station tank 125is 2 m tall, and the pressure difference is about 14 mbar when thestation tank 125 is full. A manual valve 204 at the tanker tank 202 anda manual valve 240 at the station tank 125 may be closed, as well. Oncethe valves 206, 245 are closed, the system 120 may purge the flowchannel (e.g., hydrogen hose 214, fuel lines, and/or connections) withwarm hydrogen (e.g., above ambient temperature) from the warm hydrogensource 230 to remove any liquid hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen hose214, lines, and/or connections. During purging, the warm hydrogencontrol valve 235 may be opened to allow warm hydrogen to flow to thestation vent 250, as shown in FIG. 5 . When purging is completed, thevalves 235, 255 are closed, and the user may disconnect the fuel conduit212 and hydrogen hose 212, the control conduit 220 with gas detector 270and air control line 265 from the tanker 145.

Bayonet Connection

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a bayonet assembly 300, including amale bayonet 305 and a female bayonet 310. The male bayonet 305(sometimes referred to as just the bayonet 305) is shown having beeninserted into the female bayonet 310 (sometimes referred to as a bayonetconnector 310). The bayonet 305 and bayonet connector 310 are used tocouple the hydrogen hose 214 to the station tank 125 or tanker tank 202(or both). The bayonet 305 includes an input tube 315, a flange 320, andan output tube 325. In some embodiments, the input and output tubes 315,325 are input and output portions of the same tube. The flange 320 islocated between the input and output tubes 315, 320, or when a singletube is used, near one end (e.g., the input end) of the tube. The flange320 includes a top sealing O-ring 365 that provides a fluidic sealbetween the bayonet 305 and the bayonet connector 310. In someembodiments, the O-ring 365 is provided at the input end of the bayonetconnector 310.

The bayonet connector 310 is a generally tubular structure that extendsfrom the bayonet connector's input end 350 to its output end 355. Theinside diameter of the bayonet connector 310 is large enough to receivethe output tube 320 of the bayonet 305. The inside lumen 360 of thebayonet connector 310 allows liquid hydrogen to flow from the bayonet305 and bayonet connector 310 and directly or indirectly into thestation storage tank 125. An annular volume 375 is formed between theoutput tube 320 and the bayonet connector tubular wall 310 when thebayonet 305 is inserted into the bayonet connector 310. As liquidhydrogen flows through the bayonet 305 into the bayonet connector 310along a flow path 370, some of the liquid hydrogen will naturally “boiloff” and change from a liquid state to a gaseous state. The gaseoushydrogen will rise and collect within the annular volume 375.

If the bayonet 305 and bayonet connector 310 are mounted horizontally(not shown), then during filling, colder hydrogen gas will settle to thebottom surface of the bayonet connector wall 310 (along the length ofthe bayonet connector tube) while warmer hydrogen gas will rise to thetop surface of the bayonet wall 310 (also along the length of the outputbayonet tube). As a result, a large temperature gradient may be formedat the O-ring seal 365. This temperature gradient can cause prematurefailure of the O-ring seal 365.

To address this issue, the bayonet connector 310 may be directly orindirectly mounted to the station tank 125 or tanker storage tank 202(or both) at a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal 380. Forexample, the bayonet connector 310 may be mounted at an angle of 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees, or at least 40 degrees with respectto horizontal 380. By positioning the bayonet connector 310 (and bayonet305, once it is inserted into and connected to the bayonet connector310) at such angle, heat (e.g., warm hydrogen gas) will flow to one,higher end (e.g., the input end) of the bayonet 305 and bayonetconnector 310 while the opposite end (e.g., the output end) remainscool. The resulting temperature gradient creates a natural convectionbarrier where cold gas stays low (towards the bayonet's output end) andbelow a horizontal axis 380 while warm gas rises towards the input endand remains above the horizontal axis 380. This configuration reducesthermal stress on the bayonet 305, bayonet connector 310, and O-ringseal 365 and can thereby extend the lifetime of these components. In oneembodiment, the bayonet connector 310 is mounted vertically. In someembodiments, the bayonet connector 310 may be bent at one end (e.g., 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees) or may be coupled to an elbow toattach the bayonet connector 310 to the station storage tank 125.

In other embodiments, the bayonet 305 is attached directly or indirectlyto the station tank 125, and the bayonet connector 310 is attached tothe fuel conduit 212 and hydrogen hose 214. In other words, the bayonet305 and bayonet connector 310 may correspond to the hose bayonet 216 andstation tank bayonet 218, respectively, or to the station tank bayonet218 and the hose bayonet 216, respectively.

Reducing Setback while Satisfying Fire Code Requirements

Local fire codes may require significant setbacks of liquid hydrogenstorage tanks and other filling station components due to the risksassociated with traditional filling station technologies. However,embodiments of the present invention often go above and beyond localsafety requirements by providing monitoring of leakage, pressure, andtemperature and by automating many of the procedures (e.g., opening andclosing valves, checking for leaks, monitoring temperature, etc.) thatassure safe offloading of liquid hydrogen.

As a result, systems such as described herein may allow reducing thesetback required of traditional fueling station components. For example,a minimum setback of 75 feet may be reduced to only 1 m or about 3 feetwhen utilizing the systems and techniques described herein. In addition,shorter hose connections between tanker and filling tanks also reducerisks associated with hydrogen offloading and can also reduce setbackrequirements. For example, a hydrogen hose configured to hold only 1 kgof liquid hydrogen may be used to couple the tanker to the fuelingstation tank.

Auto-Purge and Pre-Cooling Methods

One embodiment of a method 400 for filling a hydrogen storage tank withauto-purge and pre-cooling is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 . Themethod 400 may be executed automatically by a controller, such as thecontroller 225 of FIG. 2 or the flow panel 104 of FIG. 1 . The method400 begins at block 402. At block 404, a venting control valve (such asthe station vent control valve 255) and a warm hydrogen source valve(such as the warm hydrogen source valve 235) are opened. Other valvesmay be closed (such as tanker storage tank control valve and stationtank control valve) and warm hydrogen flows from the warm hydrogensource to the station vent. The venting control valve may be cycled openand closed to allow pressure to build in the fluid lines, which helppurge moisture that may be located in such fluid lines.

A controller determines if the purge is complete at block 406. Forexample, the controller may determine one or more of whether apredetermined time period has passed, whether the temperature inside oneor more of the fluid lines has reached a predetermined temperature, orwhether the condensation on the inside or outside of one or more of thefluid lines has reached a predetermined level. If purge is not complete,the method 400 continues purging and returns to block 406. When purge iscomplete, the method 400 continues to block 408.

At block 408, the controller closes the warm hydrogen valve and at block410, the controller open a tanker storage tank valve 410. Opening thetanker storage tank valve allows cold liquid hydrogen fuel to flow outof the tanker storage tank and pre-cool the fluid lines. In oneembodiment, the station tank control valve is also opened to allow thecold liquid hydrogen fuel to flow from the tanker storage tank to thestation tank.

A controller determines if the pre-cooling is complete at block 412. Forexample, the controller may determine one or more of whether apredetermined time period has passed, whether the temperature inside oneor more of the fluid lines has reached a predetermined temperature, orwhether the condensation on the inside or outside of one or more of thefluid lines has reached a predetermined level. If pre-cooling is notcomplete, the method 400 continues pre-cooling and returns to block 412.When pre-cooling is complete, the method 400 continues to block 414.

At block 414, the venting valve is closed, and if it isn't openedalready, the station tank valve is opened at block 416. The controllermonitors the fuel level inside the station storage tank at block 418.For example, the controller may monitor the differential pressurebetween the top and bottom portions of the station tank. If the stationtank is not filled, the station tank continues to be filled, and themethod 400 returns to block 418. If the station tank is filled, themethod 400 proceeds to block 420.

At block 420, the station tank control valve and the tanker storage tankcontrol valves are closed. This prevents further fuel from exiting thetanker storage tank and entering the station tank. It also prevents fuelfrom exiting the station tank. At block 422, the venting valve and warmhydrogen valves are optionally opened once again to purge any fuelremaining in the hydrogen hose and fueling lines.

The controller determines if the purge is complete at block 424. Forexample, the controller may determine one or more of whether apredetermined time period has passed, whether the temperature inside oneor more of the fluid lines has reached a predetermined temperature, orwhether the condensation on the inside or outside of one or more of thefluid lines has reached a predetermined level. If purge is not complete,the method 400 continues purging and returns to block 424. When purge iscomplete, the method 400 continues to block 426.

At block 426, the venting valve and the warm hydrogen control valve areclosed. The method 400 ends at block 428. The hoses and conduitscoupling the liquid hydrogen tanker to the fueling station's liquidhydrogen offload system may be safely disconnected.

In some embodiments, a method of auto-purging the fuel lines of a liquidhydrogen offload system include only blocks 404-408 of the method 400.In some embodiments, a method of pre-cooling the fuel lines of a liquidhydrogen offload system include only opening a venting valve and blocks410-414 of the method 400. In some embodiments, a method of filling astation tank includes opening a tanker storage tank valve and blocks416-420 of the method 400.

Other Considerations

In some embodiments, systems and components as described herein can takethe form of a computing system that is in communication with one or morecomputing systems and/or one or more data sources via one or morenetworks. The computing system may be used to implement one or more ofthe systems and methods described herein. While various embodimentsillustrating computing systems and components are described herein, itis recognized that the functionality provided for in the components andmodules (which may also be referred to herein as engines) of computingsystem may be combined into fewer components and modules or furtherseparated into additional components and modules. Modules can include,by way of example, components, such as software components,object-oriented software components, class components and taskcomponents, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines,segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data,databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Any modulescan be executed by one or more CPUs.

A software module may be compiled and linked into an executable program,installed in a dynamic link library, or may be written in an interpretedprogramming language such as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. Itwill be appreciated that software modules may be callable from othermodules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response todetected events or interrupts. Software instructions may be embedded infirmware, such as an EPROM. It will be further appreciated that hardwaremodules may be comprised of connected logic units, such as gates andflip-flops, and/or may be comprised of programmable units, such asprogrammable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein canbe implemented as software modules but may be also represented inhardware or firmware. Generally, the modules described herein refer tological modules that may be combined with other modules or divided intosub-modules despite their physical organization or storage. In addition,all the methods described herein may be executed as instructions on aCPU and may result in the manipulation or transformation of data.

In some embodiments, hardware components of the system include a CPU,which may include one, two, or more conventional microprocessors. Thesystem further includes a memory, such as random-access memory (“RAM”)for temporary storage of information and a read only memory (“ROM”) forpermanent storage of information, and a mass storage device, such as ahard drive, flash drive, diskette, or optical media storage device.Typically, the modules of the system are connected using a standardbased bus system. In different embodiments, the standard based bussystem could be Peripheral Component Interconnect (“PCI”), Microchannel,Small Computer System Interface (“SCSI”), Industrial StandardArchitecture (“ISA”) and Extended ISA (“EISA”) architectures, forexample.

In some embodiments, systems and components thereof can be operativelycoupled to a destination modality that can be an email or othermessaging modality; SAMBA, Windows, or other file sharing modality; FTPor SFTP server modality; a VPN; a printer; and the like. In accordancewith some embodiments, systems may be software or hardware-softwaresystems. For example, systems can include a communication engineconfigured to receive and transmit information.

In accordance with some embodiments, communication engine may be anysoftware or hardware software-system configured to receive and/ortransmit data. Communication engine may be configured to transmit andreceive data over a variety of network interfaces including wired andwireless networks or a combination thereof, such as via Ethernet,802.11x, Bluetooth, FireWire, GSM, CDMA, LTE, and the like.Communication engine may also be configured to transmit and/or receivedata with file transfer protocols such as TCP/IP, as well as variousencryption protocols, such as, for example, WEP, WPA, WPA2, and/or thelike.

Various other modifications, adaptations, and alternative designs are ofcourse possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should beunderstood at this time that within the scope of the appended claims theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinationsof the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed abovemay be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions.Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect,method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or thelike in connection with an embodiment can be used in all otherembodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood thatvarious features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can becombined with or substituted for one another in order to form varyingmodes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scopeof the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by theparticular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while theinvention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternativeforms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and areherein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methodsdisclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims.Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited.The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap,sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “atleast,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includesthe number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”,“about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers(e.g., about 10%=10%), and also represent an amount close to the statedamount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desiredresult. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and“substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of,within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1%of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

We claim:
 1. A bayonet coupling system, comprising: a bayonet, the bayonet comprising a bayonet tube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to the bayonet tube; a seal, the seal configured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of the flange; a bayonet coupler, the bayonet coupler comprising a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive the bayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal, wherein the bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal.
 2. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the angle is selected from the group consisting of: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.
 3. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned with the flange.
 4. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises an O-ring.
 5. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a gasket.
 6. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bayonet comprises the seal.
 7. The bayonet coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupler comprises the seal.
 8. A method of coupling a hydrogen fuel source to a hydrogen offload station, comprising: providing a bayonet, the bayonet comprising a bayonet tube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to the bayonet tube; providing a seal, the seal configured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of the flange; providing a bayonet coupler, the bayonet coupler comprising a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive the bayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal, wherein the bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal; inserting the bayonet into the bayonet coupler to fluidically couple the bayonet to the bayonet coupler.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the angle is selected from the group consisting of: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned with the flange.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the seal comprises an O-ring.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the seal comprises a gasket.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the bayonet comprises the seal.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the bayonet coupler comprises the seal.
 15. A bayonet coupling system, comprising: a bayonet coupler, the bayonet coupler comprising a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter, wherein the bayonet coupler is configured to fluidically seal to a bayonet at a seal, wherein the bayonet comprises a bayonet tube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to the bayonet tube, and wherein the seal is configured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of the flange; wherein the bayonet coupler tube is larger than an outside diameter of the bayonet tube, wherein the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive a bayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal, wherein the bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal.
 16. The bayonet coupling system of claim 15, wherein the angle is selected from the group consisting of: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 degrees, and at least 40 degrees.
 17. The bayonet coupling system of claim 15, wherein the bayonet tube is concentrically aligned with the flange.
 18. The bayonet coupling system of claim 15, wherein the seal comprises an O-ring or a gasket.
 19. The bayonet coupling system of claim 15, wherein the bayonet comprises the seal.
 20. The bayonet coupling system of claim 15, wherein the bayonet coupler comprises the seal. 